Earth-auger



A J. COLLINS. Earth-Auger. No. 225,508. Patefited Mar; 16,1880.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

ANDREW J. COLLINS, OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI.

EARTH-AUGER.

SPECI ICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 225,508, dated March 16, 1880.

Application filed To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANDREW JACKSON 00L- LINs, of Kansas City, inthe county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Earth-Augers; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification.

Figure l is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a side view. Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical sections. Fig. 5 shows the bit H.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved earth-auger for boring holes in the earth for wells and other purposes, and removing the dirt.

A is an upright square shaft. B is a crossbeam having arms I) b for braces and a shoulder, b, in the center of it. A square metal box, 0, is closelyfitted into the shoulder to strengthen it, and one end of the shaft is inserted through a square hole-in the top of the shoulder into the box, and is secured by rivetingor otherwise.

D is a cylinder, to which the braces b b, opposite each other and extending its entire length, are securely riveted. The braces b I) end in guardsE,projecting below the cylinder,

F is an adjustable flaring rim, resembling the sides of a basin, with a flanged lower edge, and, in combination with the bits or knives H, forms a reamer. The flanged lower edge of the rim F fits tightly into the top of the cylinder.

Various sizes of the reamer are adjustable to the cylinder, to make wells of any desired diameter.

In the rim F are apertures G, opposite each other and adjacent to reverse sides of the braces, which apertures extend nearly the height of the rim, and are of such size and shape as to admit the earth into the rim as fast as it is cut by the rim-bits.

The bit H is made of one piece of metal, its length varying with the size of the rim on which it is to be used, and bears some resemblance to an ax and helve. It has a flat arm, h, resting upon the beam F, and a blade, h, whose surface conforms to the inner surface of the rim, the arm and blade being at right angles to October 20, 1879.

each other. The corners of the blade are drawn out, forming spurs h, so that the edge of the blade, which is outside of the aperture, is a little longer than the corresponding arcof the rim. The blade is bent slightly backward against the side of the aperture, and the spurs are bent forward to rest against the rim above and below the aperture. This bit H is secured by bolts, screws, or rivets to the beam B and rim. This bit being thus formed and adjusted, the strain is distributed through the entire machine and does not come upon any one part.

The earth is cut and conveyed through the apertures into the rim and cylinder by revolving the machine, the bits extending through the rim a sufficient distance to make an excavation large enough to admit the rim, freely.

The auger has a cone-shaped bottom, K,that may be opened and closed, which is provided with valves P, brace N, and bits n. It is attached to the cylinder in the following manner: Rectangular pieces, narrower than the braces b, are cut out of the sides of the cylinder at its lower edge over the braces 12. Rectangular pieces of metal 0 are riveted in these cuts to the braces b, having the loop M inserted through them (0) near the top, in such manner as to swing freely between the sides of the pieces 0 and the cylinder. Holes are cut in the bottom K to admit the guards E. To the outer surface of the bottom K is riveted the brace N, extending across the bottom, its ends being flush with the cylinder atthe braces b. The brace N serves the double purpose of strengthening the bottom K and of affording a secure and ready means of fastening the bottom to the cylinder; also, inasmuch as the ends of the brace Nrest against the guards E, the bottom K and loops M are relieved from strain.

Through one end of the brace N one loop is inserted permanently, but so as to allow the bottom K to hinge upon it. The other end of the brace N is provided with a notch, over which the other loop is pressed and catches.

By this peculiar construction and arrangement of these loops there is a continual pressure of the bottom against the cylinder, mak-. ing a practically water-tight joint.

To the brace N two knives or bits, n, are

fastened with bolts or rivets, for the purpose of cutting the earth to admit the cylinder. The edge of the brace N, over the edges of the bits n, is beveled. These bits are long enough to make an excavation of sufficient size to allow the cylinder to revolve freely. Each bit is curved at its upper end so as to come in contact with the lower edge of the cylinder, or nearly so.

Two valves, P, upon hinges opening inward, are constructed in the bottom K, in such places as to allow the dirt out by the hits at to be readily thrown inside the cylinder, the valves closing to prevent the escape of the dirt and water when the auger is raised. To the apex of the bottom K is fastened a spiral point, which, entering the earth, directs the course of the auger and loosens the earth.

All the different parts of this auger are made of metal of suitable kind.

I claim-- 1. An improved adjustable reamer for earthboring, consisting of the combination of the bits H and the rim F, having apertures G, as described, and for the purposes set forth.

2. The combination of the bits H, formed and constructed as shown, rim F, and beam B, withits shoulder and side braces, substantially as described.

3. The links or loops M, as described, combined with lugs or brace-bars upon the bottom, as a means of fastening the bottom K to the cylinder and of securing a water-tight joint.

4. In an earth-auger, the cone-shaped bottom K, fastened to the cylinder by links or loops M, and har'ing the brace N, bits a, and valves P.

5. An improved earth-auger formed by the combination of the rim F, bits H, beam B,cylinder D, swinging bottom K, links or loops M, guard E, brace N, hits a, and valves P.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ANDREW J. COLLINS. Witnesses:

G. M. COLLINS, HENRY FRENCH. 

